Somebody to Love (Tyler Jamison #1) - April Wilson Page 0,66
turning on a multitude of fairy lights strung overhead, all throughout the greenhouse.
The greenhouse is completely enclosed, attached to the stone exterior of the building and protected from weather. It’s a lush, tropical escape filled with ferns, flowers, and potted trees that loom high overhead providing plenty of privacy.
While I set out our dinner on a round bistro table, Tyler tours the greenhouse.
“This is incredible,” he says as he wanders around taking it all in. He strolls past the small koi pond and fountain, and he pauses to look at the pillow and blanket lying on a futon sofa. “Is it climate controlled?”
“Yeah. I sleep up here sometimes, year around. It’s my escape when I feel cooped up.”
It’s too dark outside now to see the lake, but the stars are readily visible in the clear, cloudless sky. Plus, we have a perfect view of the Chicago city skyline as it juts out past Lake Shore Drive toward Navy Pier.
He joins me at the table, and we eat. I open the wine and pour us both glasses.
“Is everything okay at work?” I ask him, midway through our meal. “Will there be any fallout from the shooting yesterday? Surely it was justified.”
He nods. “It was. There’s an investigation into the shooting, but that’s standard procedure. It’s nothing to worry about.” Then he looks across the little table at me. “How about you? Are you okay?”
I nod. “It was a shock, I’ll admit that. And I didn’t like Miguel hiding me below deck while he faced Valdez alone. I wanted to be up there helping him.”
“Miguel was doing his job. That’s how it had to be.”
“I still didn’t like it. I’m not helpless, you know. Anyway, he’s a good guy.”
“Yes, he is.”
“Is he all right? His shoulder?”
“Yes. It was just a graze. He was checked out in the ER and sent home last night. He’s fine.”
“I keep thinking about Eric, and the other two men who died. They all three died horrible deaths because some psychotic asshole was jealous of his ex. It’s so tragic.”
“Crazy people do crazy things.”
* * *
After we finish eating, we carry our plates down to the kitchen. I clear off the plates and put them in the dishwasher. Tyler puts the leftover pasta in a storage container and sticks it in the fridge. It’s all very domestic, and I like it.
After we finish cleaning up, I pour us each another glass of wine.
This evening is a first for me, too. I’m used to hooking up at clubs, getting picked up and having quickies in the bathroom or in dark closets. I’ve always been careful, but admittedly I’ve had a lot of one-night stands. I’ve never had a guy here at my house. I’ve never made anyone dinner before, and I’ve certainly never tried to woo someone.
This feels different, and I like it. I hand Tyler his glass. “Would you like to sit in the living room and relax? We could watch a movie.”
He sets his glass on the kitchen counter and steps closer, his hands cupping my face. “I don’t want to watch a movie.”
“Okay.” The way he’s looking at me sends a shiver of excitement down my spine. My belly clenches in anticipation. “Then what do you want to do?”
“This.” His thumb brushes the top of my cheek and his gaze lowers to my mouth. And then he kisses me. He kisses me! His lips move firmly on mine, nudging mine open, and his tongue is inside my mouth, sliding against mine. God damn! It’s like once he’s made up his mind about something, he’s all in.
His hand slides down to grip my waist, and he pulls me closer. His other hand slips behind my head, his fingers in my hair. My blood runs south, and my cock throbs.
His voice is rough and matter-of-fact. “If I do or say anything wrong, tell me. I’m flying by the seat of my pants here, and I don’t want to fuck this up.”
Chapter 24
Tyler Jamison
Maybe it’s the wine lowering my inhibitions. Or maybe it’s the fact that two people who mean the world to me gave me permission to be happy. Apparently, my happiness hinges on having Ian Alexander in my arms, our mouths locked together. Our breaths mingling. Our groans reverberating in our chests.
Suddenly, I’m desperate to know what it feels like to be with someone I really want, and not someone I thought I should want. Everything about Ian is a turn-on, the texture of his skin, the